Front Unit Bearings Safe to run without a CV?

[Snacktime]

So this week the trail discussion was about running without the cv-shaft installed. After some back and forth we ultimately decided to run with a stub shaft. As we where looking at 1000+ mile drive home it was kind of not worth the risk.

The unit bearing looks like a solid center with no seams. Not sure if a stub shaft is required? Anyone got more incite into our factory unit bearing?

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[Broncoman7072]

After breaking my front diff and waiting months for the Ultimate FDU I have plenty of experience. I ran for months with no CVs installed.

 

[Snacktime]

After breaking my front diff and waiting months for the Ultimate FDU I have plenty of experience. I ran for months with no CVs installed.

And I will call that proof you don't need one.

 

[Felix808]

After breaking my front diff and waiting months for the Ultimate FDU I have plenty of experience. I ran for months with no CVs installed.

Wow, that is surprising as most unit wheel bearings (edit) I'm familiar with need the clamping force to stay together.
Thanks for the intel.

 

[jeff in ohio]

Wow, that is surprising as most unit wheel bearings need the clamping force to stay together.
Thanks for the intel.

That is false. I have met the person that "invented" the modern hub bearing during my long career. Todays "Unit" bearings are now referred to as "hub bearings". All Ford truck products are all formed hub and have been that way for over 20 years. Some companies use a tradiational "unit" bearing (see the 1967 version in the brochure) pressed into the steering knuckle, which then has a hub that goes thru them that is retained with a nut (in 2WD case) or retained by the CV shaft (4wd vehicle). Toyota does this...they also use one where the "cup" bolts to the steering knuckle and still need a hub and nut or a CV shaft (see pic under 1999 on the timeline) ...but Ford does not. Ford 4wd has splines for the cv shaft...2wd does not....both are formed hub...both need nothing to hold them together.

at_the_center_of_the_hub_evolution.pdf (dtcomponents.com)

 

[Dusty]

That is false. I have met the person that "invented" the modern hub bearing during my long career. Todays "Unit" bearings are now referred to as "hub bearings". All Ford truck products are all formed hub and have been that way for over 20 years. Some companies use a tradiational "unit" bearing (see the 1967 version in the brochure) pressed into the steering knuckle, which then has a hub that goes thru them that is retained with a nut (in 2WD case) or retained by the CV shaft (4wd vehicle). Toyota does this...they also use one where the "cup" bolts to the steering knuckle and still need a hub and nut or a CV shaft (see pic under 1999 on the timeline) ...but Ford does not. Ford 4wd has splines for the cv shaft...2wd does not....both are formed hub...both need nothing to hold them together.

at_the_center_of_the_hub_evolution.pdf (dtcomponents.com)

This is excellent information and needs to be sticki-fied. I too was also wondering if I could just pull a broken CV axle and get home in 2WD. Thanks for the info!

 

[NORCALGXP]

So this week the trail discussion was about running without the cv-shaft installed. After some back and forth we ultimately decided to run with a stub shaft. As we where looking at 1000+ mile drive home it was kind of not worth the risk.

The unit bearing looks like a solid center with no seams. Not sure if a stub shaft is required? Anyone got more incite into our factory unit bearing?

Excellent question, as you know I drove home from Moab 890 miles after breaking both CV's we put both stub shaft in just to be safe.

 

[Snacktime]

@jeff in ohio thanks for the factual explanation.

 

[jeff in ohio]

The used one is off a standard Bronco (The Raptor Bronco is larger and made by a different supplier, but is still a formed hub) …the new ones are off a 2wd and 4wd ranger. You can clearly see in all of them how the hub is formed over the seal trapping everything together as an assembly. The two wheel drive has no splines and a plug in place to keep crud out of the hollow interior of the hub where the splines would be in a 4wd version. I know this because I have held them in my hand.

 

[da_jokker]

And I will call that proof you don't need one.

In all fairness he said that his front hub was broken... So how would one know driving without the CVs "hurt anything"

 

[vrtical]

pull busted CV, add gorilla tape to FDU, drive home

 

[Snacktime]

pull busted CV, add gorilla tape to FDU, drive home

Zip tie and dog poop bags lol.

 

[Felix808]

That is false. I have met the person that "invented" the modern hub bearing during my long career. Todays "Unit" bearings are now referred to as "hub bearings". All Ford truck products are all formed hub and have been that way for over 20 years. Some companies use a tradiational "unit" bearing (see the 1967 version in the brochure) pressed into the steering knuckle, which then has a hub that goes thru them that is retained with a nut (in 2WD case) or retained by the CV shaft (4wd vehicle). Toyota does this...they also use one where the "cup" bolts to the steering knuckle and still need a hub and nut or a CV shaft (see pic under 1999 on the timeline) ...but Ford does not. Ford 4wd has splines for the cv shaft...2wd does not....both are formed hub...both need nothing to hold them together.

at_the_center_of_the_hub_evolution.pdf (dtcomponents.com)

Good to know.
I guess that is what happens when the Fords you had were a 76 Bronco an 86 F-250 (Hub bearings on both) and haven't owned a Ford since & most of your experience comes from working on old Jeeps.

Thanks for the education .

 

[Tricky Mike]

Zip tie and dog poop bags lol.

Bottle and aerosol can caps sometimes too.

 

[andersman02]

Good to know.

Were any codes being thrown? No sure how it would know

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